The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-03-11
HARTFORD COUNTY's REvOLUTIONA.
RY RECORD.
Mostly from Original Documents.
BY G. W. ARCHER.

During the interval between this meeting and
the next MAY 1st), the battle of Lexington was
fought. The news of this inconsiderable, but
momentous battle produced in Maryland, remote
greater degree of excitement than had ever been
known here-not even excepting the disastrous
defeat Of Braddock, twenty years before, when
the victorious savages were reported to be rush.
| ing upon Baltimore, breathing havoc and ruin.
Although news in those days crept where it now
flies the impression it produced on reaching any
particular community was none the less pro-
found by reason of its hardness in coming.
The battle Of Lexington occurred on the 10th of
April, and 1t was not until the afternoon Of tho
25th-nearly a week-that a full account reached
the city of New York. 1t was at once expressed
south, arriving in Philadelphia at noon of the
next day at Head of Elk about dawn on the fol-
lowing morning and 1t must have reached Har-
FORD Town-then on the great highway between
the North and the South-about noon on Thurs
day, the 9th. and there were probably, through
out the county, but few homes where it was not
known before bedtime on that night. The in
tense agitation and ferment which 1t produced,
in the conflicting state of public opinion on the
one great question Of the day, must be left to
the imagination.
The Committee met on the next Monday, May
lst.the day to which they had adjourned. An
Won nerSans baTe hse he urgency Of
without encroaching upon the intervening Sab
bath, as 1t would probably have required two
days to notify the members in the distant parts
of the county. The Committee met oftener in
that month than in any other during its exist
the nreceedings Ibsroot S on ree0ra most OF
given in the abridged archives; a few will be re-
produced here for the tirst time; while there
were probably others, the records of which are
lost.
AT the meeting of the LIST of May, present
lthirty-two names givenl Mr.. Amos Garrett in
the chair, and George Patterson, Clk.
THE several expresses received were read,
"on motion Resolved, That Mr..
Aquila Hall, Jun'r consult the Committee of
baltimore, whether 1t may be practicable for to
export the flour sent there by Mr.. Aquila Hall,
Senr, for the relief of the poor Of Boston. THE
xvoa col lah nv fha oIO Of
the port by the British government, as already
1on motion Resolred. That the eeveral co,lec-
tors of the several Hundreds in this county wait
on every inhabitant of the several Hundreds
lwherefl they reside at their houses, in order to
receive some free gift for the poor OF Boston,
and for the purchase of arms and ammunition,
as also to collect the former subscriptions"
The most signifcan resolution by far, adopted
at this meeting-in view of the blood recently
shed-was that given in the papers before pub
lished; namely, resolution ordering "the pur-
powder and four thousand weight Of lead for the
use OF this Committeeman Of three horses to
forward the express, &C.
THE Committee by adjournment of the LIST in
slant at the Committee Chambers in Hartford
Town, assembled on Wednesday, Sd OF May, at
the same place; present [sixteen names givenl
Mr.; John Matthew in the chair.
Dr. James Carvill Hall offers mare to the
Committee for the use of the public, which be-
ing viewed by Mr.. Ashmead and Mr.. Love, 1t Is
agreed to pay DR.. Hall twelve pounds for the
same; and he generously offers to give FIVE
Of the committee having paid eight shillngs nine
pence each to raise the same, the money was
paid to Mr.. Hall. Messrs. Bond, Dallam, Bull
and Ashmead are desired to wait on the gentle
men OF the town, to know who will keep the
said mare on the best terms, to be ready when
called for on the public business of expresses,
&c., who do report that Mr.. Joseph Stiles will
keep the said creature in proper manner at
thirty shillngs per month, for one month from
this date"
OF the three horses ordered to be purchased
1t Is most likely that one was to be used to COM
municate with Congress, at Philadelphia; ono
with the Convention at Annapolis and the third
with points within the county, as occasion
should require. The first was to stand at Sus-
quehanna, the other two at Hartford Town.
DR.. Hall was afterwards Colonel of the Second
battalion of the "Flying Camp"-his command
being composed of men from Hartford and Bal
timore counties; and still later he was command
er of the Fourth Battalion of regulars; and in
that capacity rendered important service to the
cause. The Flying Camp" was organized for
temporary service in 17I6, during the most criti-
cal period of the war. to serve until regulars
could be equipped and brought to the front.
salt lodged at Otter Point, suspected to be what
was carried from Baltimore Town, belonging to
DR.. John Stevenson, which the-Doctor had
promised to return account of and to bestow the
proceeds to the poor of Boston. Mr.. Butler ap-
peared before the Committee and reported that
the salt above belonged to DIR. Stevenson, and
was sent to him to sell and that 1t was presum-
cd, by the Doctor letter received with the salt,
bearing date the LIST of February last, that the
same must have been in the country before the
stoppage of the importation of merchandise in
general. But for further information, Mr..
Aquila Paca. Mr.. George bradford, Mr.. Smith
and MIR. William Bradford make an inquiry when
the salt above was landed there, for the further
tity was at first received; and if any has been
landed SINCE"